When you think of divorce, you probably think of everything you’ve read in the news or seen in television shows and movies. You imagine couples dramatically fighting things out in court and airing out their personal grievances in a public space. Like many other Washington residents though, you might want an easier and less divisive option.
Fortunately, there are alternative dispute resolution methods out there that may work for you, such as mediation. But how can you tell if mediation will be a good fit for your divorce?
How does mediation work?
Mediation involves you and your spouse meeting in a neutral location and talking things out with an impartial mediator present. The mediator is not there to take sides. Their role is simply to guide you and your ex-spouse through the negotiation process peacefully and keep the conversation moving in a healthy and productive fashion.
Mediation may be a good fit for you if you and your ex-spouse agree that you want to avoid going to court and are both open to working collaboratively during negotiations. Most issues can be resolved, even those that may seem highly complex.
Benefits of mediation
Mediation is often completed with satisfactory results in less time than if you were to pursue traditional litigated divorce. It’s also typically less stressful and generally costs less in the long run. There are a lot of benefits for both parties, so long as you are willing to put in the work.
Mediation can help many couples as they work through a difficult divorce, especially those that involved child custody or child support.
If mediation is something you are interested in, you can discuss the option with qualified legal counsel to determine if it is a good fit for your family. If you do start mediation and it doesn’t work out, you can always end the process and take the matter to court.